The Niskayuna Community Action Program (N-CAP) was formed in the spring of 1980 following a report on the mental health needs of the Niskayuna School District. A key theme in the report was the need to foster a sense of identity and connection among the residents of Niskayuna and the families associated with the school district.

Many ideas were considered, but the one that truly captured the community’s imagination was a town-and school district-wide celebration. The vision included a parade that would culminate in a gathering of residents at the heart of the town, the High School. The idea generated so much excitement that planning began that night—and thus began what has grown into the beloved annual Niska-Day celebration!

Our 2026 Committee

Our committee is a group of dedicated individuals that work together to bring our town together every May! We couldn’t do it without them, and we’re always looking for new members! Contact us if you’re interested!

Amanda Mahar & Aaron Hull
Chairpersons

Ray Smith & Pete Rakvica
Town Highway Dept.

Todd Frenyea & Chief Jim Vena
Police & Fire Liason

Caroline Thompson
Treasurer

Rob Curto
Fundraising

Gretchen DeBobes & Erin Cassidy-Dorion
Parade

Ken Choi
Entertainment

Kathleen Gansfus
Food Court

Bill Anders
School District Liasons

Emily Sosnow
Games

Rebecca Roth
Business Tent

Kim Conant & Ehasuyi Gomes
Community Tent

Mike Randall
Posters & Signage

Jim Harrington
Buttons

Deb Gorgos
Glowies, Food Drive

Howard & Sharon Wohl
Grounds & Parking

Shawna Conley
Webmaster & Administration

Past Niska-Days

  • 2025: Celebrating Those Who Serve

    Chair: Jay Rourke, Rachel Rourke  

  • 2024: Celebrate 518

    Chair: Jay Rourke, Rachel Rourke  

  • 2023: Cruisin' Nisky Style

    Chair: Jay Rourke, Rachel Rourke  

  • 2022: Celebrating the People in Our Neighborhood

    Chair: Jay Rourke, Rachel Rourke  

  • 2021: Celebrating 40 Years of N-CAP

    Chair: Michael Corcoran, Jay Rourke, Rachel Rourke    

  • 2020: Celebrating 100 Years of Service

    Chair: Michael Corcoran 

  • 2019: Hats Off to Nisky

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader, Michael Corcoran

  • 2018: Magic is in the Air

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2017: Calling All Superheroes

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2016: Let's Have a Fiesta

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2015: Under the Big Top

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2014: Niska-Day Goes Tropical

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2013: Niska-Day Celebrates Vegas Style

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2012: Dancing Fun at Niska-Day 31

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2011: Niska-Day Hits the Big 3-0….a Birthday Bash

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2010: Niska-Day Goes Country

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2009: A Bicentennial Blast

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2008: We're Under Construction

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2007: Niska-Day 26 Celebrates Niska-Unity

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2006: A Silver Celebration of a Community Tradition

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2005: Niska-Day Salutes the Person Next Door

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2004: Niska-Day Celebrates 50 Years of Educational Excellence

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 2003: United We Stand

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader, Larry & Maria Krause, Carol Mondello, Joan Rockwell

  • 2002: E Pluribus Unum…Out of Many, One

    Chair: Nancy Gorgos, Larry & Maria Krause, Bill & Denise Leader, Carol Mondello, Joan Rockwell

  • 2001: 20th Anniversary Cruise Aboard the USS Niska-Day

    Chair: Tom & Diane O’Donnell

  • 2000: Niska-Day 2000…A Millennium Mardi Gras

    Chair: Tom & Diane O’Donnell

  • 1999: Niska-Day 18…Let’s Party-It’s 1999

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader, Tom & Diane O’Donnell

  • 1998: Niska-Day Celebrates the Arts

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 1997: Sweet 16 and Never Been Missed

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 1996: Niska-Day 15 Remembers the Good Old Days

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 1995: For All You Do…Niska-Day 14 is for You

    Chair: Bill & Denise Leader

  • 1994: Niska-Day 13 Salutes Our Schools…Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

    Chair: Larry & Maria Krause, Bill & Denise Leader

  • 1993: Niska-Day Rockin around the Clock

    Chair: Larry & Maria Krause

  • 1992: Niskayuna Cares About People…A Salute to Volunteerism

    Chair: Nancy Gorgos, Larry & Maria Krause

  • 1991: N-CAP Celebrates…Niska-Day 10

    Chair: Joan Rockwell & Nancy Gorgos

  • 1990: Niskayuna Celebrates…Hometown Spirit

    Chair: Joan Rockwell & Nancy Gorgos

  • 1989: Niskayuna…Making a World of Difference

    Chair: Cynthia Shultz, Joan Rockwell, Mimi Mika, Carol Jo Dufort

  • 1988: Niskayuna Celebrates…The World’s First Television Station…WRGB

    Chair: Cynthia Shultz, Debra Gatto, Mimi Mika, Carol Jo Dufort, Joan Rockwell

  • 1987: Niskayuna Celebrates…We the People-U.S. Constitution Bicentennial

    Chair: Liz Kiffney

  • 1986: Niskayuna Celebrates Lady Liberty

    Chair: Debra Gatto & Steve Israel

  • 1985: Niskayuna Celebrates…Youth and the Young at Heart

    Chair: Debra Gatto & Steve Israel

  • 1984: 175th Birthday Party of the Town of Niskayuna

    Chair: Liz Kiffney & Steve Israel

  • 1983: Learned in Niskayuna

    Chair: Liz Kiffney & Frank Taormina

  • 1982: The First Niska-Day

    Chair: Frank Taormina